I just watched a video from the YouTube channel “ACTUALLY HAPPENED”, which uploads videos with professionally narrated and animated stories that anyone can send in. I only discovered this channel yesterday, and the first video I watched had a happy ending. It was about a 14-year-old girl who had a crush on her English teacher and tried to start a relationship with him, which could have cost him his job after her best friend went to the principal’s office and mentioned that she (the 14-year-old) contacted the teacher over Facebook. Luckily, after she explained that she initiated the contact, and that nothing inappropriate happened between the two, the teacher was cleared of any wrongdoing.

The latest video I just watched, however, was upsetting. The girl in the story has a demanding and controlling mother who wants her to play the piano and make a successful career out of it. Unfortunately, the girl isn’t very interested in this and instead really enjoys playing soccer, which her mom doesn’t like at all. This story resonates a lot with me because I’m a staunch individualist, and I believe it is wrong for parents to try to decide their children’s lives for them.

Humans are meant to make choices for themselves so that they can live the life they want; they have no obligation to obey anyone, including their parents. The only obligation they have is to not interfere with others’ lives. Of course, as a child a person still needs guidance, and sometimes parents need to force them against their will for their own protection. What I oppose is parents trying to determine what their children will do when they grow up.

Have you heard of this channel? What are your thoughts on the video I mentioned?